Memorial Birds
Memorial birds are hand-cast porcelain birds made with your loved one’s ashes to create a permanent artwork you can hang on your wall. Choose a single swallow for yourself, multiples to share with friends and family, or commission a flock to create a murmuration on your wall.
How it Works
Once you place your order, you will receive a welcome package from me. It will include a pre-paid return envelope with packing material and instructions. Once you return the package, I will send you confirmation of receipt and begin creation of your swallow(s) with the utmost respect and care.
Cost
1-3 swallows - $300 (each) plus shipping
4 or more swallows - $250 (each) plus shipping
Size
7.5” x 5.5” x 1”
Common Questions
How much of the ashes do I send you? It takes approximately one teaspoon of ashes to create a bird.
How do I get the ashes out of my urn? Your ashes should be contained within a plastic bag within the urn. Unscrew the top of the urn to remove the ashes. You will receive a plastic ziplock back from me to transfer them into.
Will I be able to see the ashes in the final artwork? Yes, the ashes will show up as speckles within the clay. Most are a light grey with an occasional copper tone.
Can I custom order the birds? You may custom order the glaze colors, but the birds are all made from a pre-formed cast and will be one standard size with slight variations.
What if I want a different animal? Swallows in flight are the only design I am offering at this time.
How do I secure the swallows to the wall? The swallows have a series of three holes on the back so that you can choose the direction you’d like the swallow to fly in. Hang the nail on an angle facing toward the ceiling and slide your swallow onto the wall making sure the nail has not sunken into the wall upon placement. I recommend placing a dab of glue on the nail head if you would like to make the piece more secure on the wall.
How many letters can my engraving be? Up to twelve letters on each wing.
Will my color choices be exact? While you color choices will be very close, they will not be exact. Ceramics is a live medium, meaning that each work created will be slightly different due to the varying conditions of the clay and kiln at time of firing. This is part of the beauty of ceramic art.
When will I receive my artwork? The work will take approximately 6-8 weeks to create after I receive your ashes. Shipping time will depend on location and option chosen at checkout.
What happens if my swallows break in transit? Swallows will be professionally packaged and shipped making the chances of breakage minimal. However, in the rare case that the work breaks in transit, I will create you a new swallow free of charge with proof of damage. Please hold on to additional ashes until you have received your artwork.
Please feel free to contact me with any additional questions.